Preview — Making Friends With Black People
by Nick Adams

Making Friends With Black People

Nick Adams presents this comic guide to relationships between the races. He provides a wealth of humourous advice designed to sidestep the Eminem complex and shy away from the regrettable tendency of white youths to call their friends 'homey' and 'dawg'.

Community Reviews

Nick Adam's well-meaning and humorous look at the challenges that white people face attempting to understand us was published in 2006. It probably wasn't best to wait until 2010 to read this book.

Some parts are funny. Especially when he talks about white people attempting to handle hip-hop and actually assuming they know what good hip-hop is. The part about white people dancing and being in clubs is funny too.

But then, Nick just begins to sound like a know-it-all angry prick with a soft spot foNick Adam's well-meaning and humorous look at the challenges that white people face attempting to understand us was published in 2006. It probably wasn't best to wait until 2010 to read this book.

Some parts are funny. Especially when he talks about white people attempting to handle hip-hop and actually assuming they know what good hip-hop is. The part about white people dancing and being in clubs is funny too.

But then, Nick just begins to sound like a know-it-all angry prick with a soft spot for hot white women. He begins to lose his credibility and you are unable to take his book seriously. Nick says that he can't be the voice for all black people, but it sure seems like he attempts to with this book, and not even that well....more

Nick Adams is hilarious. Period. This is a wittingly poignant book that everyone should read. It might not seem as funny to someone who hasn't felt like class pet just cause you decided to rock afro puffs this morning. But for anyone who is constantly asked to speak for their entire race (whichever minority race you may be), stop answering questions about your people and culture and don't get offended by Becky, Fern, or Jim... Just leave a copy of this book next to your water cooler and watch yoNick Adams is hilarious. Period. This is a wittingly poignant book that everyone should read. It might not seem as funny to someone who hasn't felt like class pet just cause you decided to rock afro puffs this morning. But for anyone who is constantly asked to speak for their entire race (whichever minority race you may be), stop answering questions about your people and culture and don't get offended by Becky, Fern, or Jim... Just leave a copy of this book next to your water cooler and watch your workplace change IMMEDIATELY!!!

(Note: my favorite part of reading this book was cackling to myself while riding in a packed rush hour train... just PRAYING that one of them would ask what I was reading! "Please God, if you make them ask me what I'm reading, I promise the next book I'll pick up will be a bible!" He didn't answer...)...more

I'm not totally sure what the point of this book is. It's a bit raunchy, which I should have guessed when in the dedication the author thanked his wife for the sex. That was a bit strange...

It reminded me a lot about the Why do Black People Love Fried Chicken book. It was the author's opinion with no evidence of research.

I was also thrown by the comment of how black people leave the church behind as soon as they are old enough, and then reading his chapter on Christianity. I found it insensitiveI'm not totally sure what the point of this book is. It's a bit raunchy, which I should have guessed when in the dedication the author thanked his wife for the sex. That was a bit strange...

It reminded me a lot about the Why do Black People Love Fried Chicken book. It was the author's opinion with no evidence of research.

I was also thrown by the comment of how black people leave the church behind as soon as they are old enough, and then reading his chapter on Christianity. I found it insensitive and I was dissapointed. Not that he left the church, that's his choice, but how he was disrespectful to God and other Christians. I can't imagine his mom would have been impressed, either....more

I wish there was a blank star for "hated it." This book sucked big-time! I will be the first to admit that there were a few times I giggled, but most of the time, I was shaking my head in disgust. I will also admit, I am a black woman and not the biggest fan of white people the majority of the time, but I found this book very racist and downright degrading to white people. His attempt at adding humor to make it sound funny just didn't work. In my opinion, he is very bitter, cocky, annoying and dI wish there was a blank star for "hated it." This book sucked big-time! I will be the first to admit that there were a few times I giggled, but most of the time, I was shaking my head in disgust. I will also admit, I am a black woman and not the biggest fan of white people the majority of the time, but I found this book very racist and downright degrading to white people. His attempt at adding humor to make it sound funny just didn't work. In my opinion, he is very bitter, cocky, annoying and disrespectful to God. I only continued to read the book because it was chosen in a book club I'm in...I also didn't see more than maybe 3 tips on "how to make friends with black people."...more

What starts as every stand-up comedian's observations on the difference between white people and black people ("White guys do this, while black guys do THIS!") slowly turns into a thoughtful and insightful look at one guy's experience in a country where being relegated to second class citizen status still happens on an all too regular basis. There aren't many tips on actually making friends with black people other than don't be the guy who wants to use the n-word and quit saying Eminem is great,What starts as every stand-up comedian's observations on the difference between white people and black people ("White guys do this, while black guys do THIS!") slowly turns into a thoughtful and insightful look at one guy's experience in a country where being relegated to second class citizen status still happens on an all too regular basis. There aren't many tips on actually making friends with black people other than don't be the guy who wants to use the n-word and quit saying Eminem is great, but it's an eye-opening read with jokes that serve as the sugar to make the medicine go down easier. ...more

If you're going into this book with a serious mindset, then find something else to do. It's a funny, at times raunchy, look at how the "average" white person looks at black people. It is written very much in the same vein as something one might see on Chappelle's Show, which if you're offended by that then you will be offended by this.

While Nick Adams does make some serious arguments about what he feels are shortcomings in society in terms of race relation, readers should be aware that this is aIf you're going into this book with a serious mindset, then find something else to do. It's a funny, at times raunchy, look at how the "average" white person looks at black people. It is written very much in the same vein as something one might see on Chappelle's Show, which if you're offended by that then you will be offended by this.

While Nick Adams does make some serious arguments about what he feels are shortcomings in society in terms of race relation, readers should be aware that this is a humor writing first and foremost. ...more

This is a great book for all of you well-meaning white folks out there. Adams illustrates to us cultural etiquette and boundaries in interacting with our black friends and colleagues. He uses clever humor to put across some pretty serious issues about racism and politics, but keeps the reader feeling comfortable.

A bi-racial friend of mine found this book somewhat trite, but if you have always wondered things like "why can't white people use the "N" word?" or "Is it ok to try to use the handshakeThis is a great book for all of you well-meaning white folks out there. Adams illustrates to us cultural etiquette and boundaries in interacting with our black friends and colleagues. He uses clever humor to put across some pretty serious issues about racism and politics, but keeps the reader feeling comfortable.

A bi-racial friend of mine found this book somewhat trite, but if you have always wondered things like "why can't white people use the "N" word?" or "Is it ok to try to use the handshake?" you need to read this book....more

NOt only did this book make me laugh until I nearly peed my pants, it really gave you a lot to think about afterwords. It does need a re-write on the chapter on blacks in politics. There is a breif mention of a certain senator from Illinois, but the author pointedly says "black people don't get to be president". Not that having a black president has solved the problem of racism by a long shot, it has certainly given an entire generation at the very least hope.

the author discusses things you should or should not do when making friends with black people. It is not necessarily true, but it is a great discussiomn starter. This an an awesome book to introduce cultural difference for the college aged crowd. It has a humorous tone and cites differences with ease. It also has some interesting illustrations. Very fun to read.

HILARIOUS! Completely tongue and cheek look at race differences and especially funny if you grew up in the 80's and 90's like the author (who's nephew actually attended the school I taught at in Norfolk :)

This book is pretty funny, but I'm not sure if it delivers on its title. I finished reading it back in January and so far, I haven't made any new friends of any kind. But, I guess that's not the point, is it?

Crudely amusing and realistic (to a certain demographic of the United States of America) but makes the mistake of over-generalizing some issues and glosses over other. Still, a decent way to pass time and laugh.